Mayor Thomas M. Menino, Department of Neighborhood Development Director Evelyn Freidman, and Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services Director Jay Walsh today said City officials are working closely with the Brighton neighborhood businesses ravaged by a four-alarm fire that began early Sunday morning in an effort to help the businesses and employees impacted by the fire.

“It’s a terrible loss to the community and a shame to see businesses destroyed and jobs lost,” Mayor Menino said. “We will work collaboratively to do everything we can to help those involved. We want to get these folks back on their feet so that they can reopen their businesses.”

Mayor Menino also said officials from the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services (MONS) and the Department of Neighborhood Development’s (DND) Office of Business Development have been on the scene since the fire first started on Sunday.

The fire is estimated to have caused approximately $4 million in damages to the businesses, located side by side in a building on corner of Chestnut Hill Avenue and Embassy Road in Brighton.

Fire Department Officials said that fire began around 6 a.m. Sunday and burned for several hours, fueled partly by a gas line. This prompted fire officials to demolish the building, so National Grid workers could reach the gas line leading into the building.

Officials said preliminary investigation indicates that the fire started in a pizza restaurant called Bocca Buona and quickly spread to the other businesses, including Ora Catering, Village Laundry, and a janitorial supply shop.

City officials said a team of staff would work closely with the building’s business owners in the coming days and weeks to offer guidance and assess the exact needs of each business. Mayor Menino said DND’s Office of Business Development is providing assistance, and, and would work with the Office of Neighborhood Services, the Office of Jobs and Community Service, Inspectional Services Department, and the Boston Fire Department to address the needs of those involved.

In addition to providing resources to the affected businesses, City officials will also work with building’s owner to help facilitate any demolition work or construction work needed for a new building in the future.